About the Eastern Cape

Climate

The coastal area of the Eastern Cape lies directly between the subtropical conditions of the Western Cape, while its inland area is bisected by the Great Escarpment, resulting in the southern reaches defined by a series of rivers and corresponding wetland fauna and flora, while the northern areas are those of the altitudinous plains of the Plateau and the Great Karoo.

These topographic inconsistencies are exemplified by the climatological conditions experienced by the towns and cities within these areas.

In the North East, along the Wild Coast, towns like Port St John's experience long, hot summer months and moderate winters.

Up towards the Free State, at towns such as Lady Grey and Aliwal North, the rise in altitude means the appropriate lowering in temperature and the towns, just a few hundred kilometres from the swelter of the other areas, experience conditions favoured more by skiers than sunbathers.

Coastal cities generally enjoy a daily average of 7 hours of sunshine annually. Winter (April-August) temperatures range from 10 - 23°

Celsius and Summer sees temperatures ranging from 17 - 35°